The information contained on this page is provided as general health information and is not intended to substitute as medical advice and direction from your physician or health care provider. Please direct any questions related to your health care provider. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency center.

Alternative Names

Causes

GVHD may occur after a bone marrow, or stem cell, transplant in which someone receives bone marrow tissue or cells from a donor. This type of transplant is called allogeneic. The new, transplanted cells regard the recipient's body as foreign. When this happens, the cells attack the recipient's body.

GVHD does not occur when people receive their own cells. This type of transplant is called autologous.

Before a transplant, tissue and cells from possible donors are checked to see how closely they match the recipient. GVHD is less likely to occur, or symptoms will be milder, when the match is close. The chance of GVHD is:

Around 35% to 45% when the donor and recipient are related

Around 60% to 80% when the donor and recipient are not related

Symptoms

There are two types of GVHD: acute and chronic. Symptoms in both acute and chronic GVHD range from mild to severe.

Acute GVHD usually happens within days or as late as 6 months after a transplant. The immune system, skin, liver, and intestines are mainly affected. Common acute symptoms include:

Abdominal pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin or eyes) or other liver problems

A biopsy of the skin, mucous membranes in the mouth, may also help to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

After a transplant, the recipient usually takes medicines, such as prednisone (a steroid), which suppress the immune system. This helps reduce the chances (or severity) of GVHD.

You'll continue taking the medicines until your health care provider thinks the risk for GVHD is low. Many of these medicines have side effects, including kidney and liver damage. You'll have regular tests to watch for these problems.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Outlook depends on the severity of GVHD. People who receive closely matched bone marrow tissue and cells usually do better.

Some cases of GVHD can damage the liver, lungs, digestive tract, or other body organs. There is also a risk for severe infections.

Many cases of acute or chronic GVHD can be treated successfully. But this doesn't guarantee that the transplant itself will succeed in treating the original disease.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you have had a bone marrow transplant, call your provider right away if you develop any symptoms of GVHD or other unusual symptoms.